So, basically my mission here is slowwwlllllyyyy coming into shape. I'm still confused about how certain things will get done, but I'm learning that answers will come on a daily basis and that those answers might actually change from one day to another!
Anyway, our current clinical and very basic systematic nutrition screening has been going on in a camp called Yusuf Batil, where currently, around 35,000 refugees from Sudan reside. However, our next phase of work and essentially the bulk of my mission, will be based in a new camp called Gendrassa where people from a flooded camp further away from here will be reallocated to.
Interestingly, the first batch of refugees will be arriving to Gendrassa on Wednesday the 25th of July! What a birthday treat!
Although I have a clear job description of whats expected from me and what I should do until I leave here, I'm working with a somehow weird colleague. She's Ethiopian and she has far more technical experience than me in this field. However, her communication and management skills are by far, the worst I've seen. She also has a very bad memory (so keeps mixing things up even after listening to me or anyone else for an hour!)...god! she even forgot the Satellite phone somewhere once (luckily we found it!)
I sometimes wonder why do I end up with such unorganized individuals as line managers. Its part of the reason why I sometimes love and hate this job at the same time.
Ok, back to work front. My first visit to the actual field to see our beneficiaries (our clients in other words) was conducted in Yusuf Batil camp on Saturday. The refugee population, as I expected, is extremely vulnerable. Diarrhea, respiratory tract infections and eye infections are widespread and you don't need a doctor to see that. Also, children under 2 years of age are extremely dehydrated and malnourished. Its interesting how I felt when I saw all this (and children playing with animal waste as toys!). It was a mixture of sadness, shock, anger at the world and emptiness. It really hurts you at a very deep level that when you reflect on what you see everyday before you go to bed, not only do you thank whatever God you worship for what you have, but you cry out of happiness for your situation (even if it comes with its own hardships and problems).
Indeed, the population we are expecting to come in on Wednesday to Gendrassa will b, reportedly, even more vulnerable with high rates of mortality, high cases of malaria with complications and a few suspected cases of cholera.
I'm actually nervous about Wednesday and what I am supposed to do. I will be there waiting with the screeners to direct and supervise together with the Nutrition Program Manager (the one mentioned above). However, the bulk of my work will be to reach out to the community with health and nutrition messages to prevent disease and malnutrition. Working with the community is extremely challenging and, given the perfectionist that I am, I'm nervous about doing a good job out there.
Otherwise, around the compound, things are evolving. I was expected a temporary laptop tomorrow, but its been delayed to get here until Thursday because those coming with it could not get a reservation tomorrow (oh bugger! our boss is English. Go figure!). So, I'm still kind of begging for computers every now and then until my situation is resolved. My Mac is still in Juba and I'm waiting to hear about it being "DHLed" soon to Germany.
I'm also trying to get my own tent. The single ones are all occupied but I'm hoping to go into one as soon as someone leaves. I definitely need my privacy and space and NOT to sleep with someone I've been working with all day and have issues with as well! Lets see how that goes.
With the rate of insects crawling up and down my body, I will have to leave this here. At least I still have a closed Nutella jar to get me going for my anticipated birthday action!
Maban, South Sudan
23.7.2012
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